A San Diego Foundation (SDF) nonprofit agency endowment fund, The Foundation for Grossmont & Cuyamaca Colleges (FGCC) raises awareness of and offers financial resources for Grossmont College and Cuyamaca College to support East County San Diego students.
Through the generosity of donors and the community, FGCC scholarships and programs enhance student learning, retention and success. Whether you’re a first-time college student or an adult returning to school, the cost of college can be significant – but scholarships can make all the difference.
The average total cost in 2022-2023 for a full-time undergraduate student at a two-year college in the United States was $19,230. These figures include tuition and fees as well as additional expenses like room and board, books, supplies, and transportation. For many students, particularly those from low-income households, these costs can be a significant barrier to higher education.
Fortunately, FGCC offers more than 300 scholarships, ranging from $500 to $2,500 per semester, helping to make college more accessible.
These scholarships are made possible by donations from generous donors like Cuyamaca College President Emeritus Samuel M. Ciccati, who donated $1 million – the largest in the district’s history – to establish the fund in 2018. This contribution supports initiatives such as the Grossmont & Cuyamaca College Promise scholarship, which provides a free year of college to first-time, full-time students.
Interview with the FGCC
Dana Rivers, the Director of Development at FGCC, spoke with us about how establishing a nonprofit agency endowment fund at SDF helps the organization grow and sustain its programs and scholarships. Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
What were the reasons you decided to set up an agency endowment fund at SDF?
San Diego Foundation has earned a solid reputation of trust in the region – from individual donors to the larger community. SDF is an organization that seeks to create positive change for a better future, which aligns with the mission of the Foundation for Grossmont & Cuyamaca Colleges.
When our donors are looking to create legacy gifts, endowments or donor-advised funds, SDF is an easy recommendation. We work together to support the students at our colleges seeking higher education and a better way of life for themselves.
Why is organizational longevity and sustainability important to your work?
At the FGCC, education will always be important for growth and sustainability for all aspects of modern society, which means our education institutions like community colleges and the important work of its foundations need to exist to provide necessary resources to students in order to succeed.
With rising costs of everything from housing and food to transportation and books, there will always be a need for financial support for students. The Foundation for Grossmont & Cuyamaca Colleges helps bridge the financial gap for many students with program support, scholarships and emergency grants, removing barriers to a quality and potentially life-changing education.
How does funding sustainability help your students, staff and programs?
Sustainability of funds is paramount to the success of our Foundation. Creating endowment programs, like the Grossmont – Cuyamaca College Promise Plus Scholarship Program (AKA the Promise Plus program), allows us the opportunity to provide long-term support for many important needs of our students, programs and colleges.
Endowments are especially important because they allow the Foundation to distribute much-needed funds to students and programs based on earned interest, so our money is working for us. Our donors understand this need, too, so they are happy to support our endowment efforts.
One such donor is former Cuyamaca College president (1984-1993) Samuel M. Ciccati, who created an endowment with San Diego Foundation to benefit Cuyamaca College students through the Promise Plus program. This endowed gift will provide 100 scholarships to students at Cuyamaca College every year – in perpetuity.
Do your donors see the value in your organization having an agency fund?
We are always honored when a donor decides to create a legacy gift or endowment to benefit the Foundation for Grossmont & Cuyamaca Colleges. While several donors have created endowments through San Diego Foundation, many of our donors are also grateful for the opportunity to be included in a large endowment campaign, knowing that their support will live on in perpetuity.
Collectively, these donors are making a lasting difference for the greater good of the colleges and students we serve.
